Centuries in the past, mankind fought a seemingly unbeatable adversary from sector to sector across the Spiral Arm until the war ground to a standstill and the Enemy withdrew. Believing that they had won, the citizens of the galaxy rebuilt. The Inner Worlds, which had escaped the worst of the war's ravages, became even more insular, while the Rim worlds adopted a free and easy way with law and order. Now, hundreds of years after their withdrawal, the Enemy is back - and this time they'll be satisfied with nothing less than the extinction of the galaxy.

3 out of 5 stars

Beginning of a big sprawling classic space opera

By
David
on
07-15-13

Conflict of Honors

Liaden Universe Agent of Change, Book 2

By:
Sharon Lee,
Steve Miller

Narrated by:
Andy Caploe

Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
256

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
219

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
224

In the third novel of the Liaden Universe, Priscilla Delacroix is betrayed and abandoned by her shipmates. But confronting the crew will be far easier - and safer - than confronting the demons of her past.

5 out of 5 stars

Shan and Pricilla *sigh*

By
Kindle Customer
on
09-08-12

Local Custom

Liaden Universe Space Regencies, Book 1

By:
Sharon Lee,
Steve Miller

Narrated by:
Bernadette Dunne

Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
188

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
173

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
171

The first of the seven books set in the Liaden Universe tells a rich and sweeping story of warring families and star-crossed lovers in a fantastic, other-world galaxy.

5 out of 5 stars

Classic Heyer-esque Romance with Cultural Clash

By
Charlie
on
09-20-12

Crystal Soldier

Liaden Universe Books of Before, Book 1

By:
Sharon Lee,
Steve Miller

Narrated by:
Kevin T. Collins

Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
302

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
268

Story

4 out of 5 stars
271

Centuries in the past, mankind fought a seemingly unbeatable adversary from sector to sector across the Spiral Arm until the war ground to a standstill and the Enemy withdrew. Believing that they had won, the citizens of the galaxy rebuilt. The Inner Worlds, which had escaped the worst of the war's ravages, became even more insular, while the Rim worlds adopted a free and easy way with law and order. Now, hundreds of years after their withdrawal, the Enemy is back - and this time they'll be satisfied with nothing less than the extinction of the galaxy.

3 out of 5 stars

Beginning of a big sprawling classic space opera

By
David
on
07-15-13

The Tomorrow Log

By:
Sharon Lee,
Steve Miller

Narrated by:
Kevin T. Collins

Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
67

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
59

Story

4 out of 5 stars
61

Meanwhile, on another side of the Universe. . .Meet Gem ser'Edreth, a wizard with electronics -- and a freelance thief. Deliberately solitary, unencumbered by family or friends, he immerses himself in his profession, rising to a pinnacle of skill so exalted that the planetary crime boss seeks him out with a commission to steal. Refusing the commission, of course, is his first mistake.

5 out of 5 stars

Not Liad, but Excellent Lee& Miller none the less

By
Kindle Customer
on
12-12-13

In Ashes Born

A Seeker's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, Book 1

By:
Nathan Lowell

Narrated by:
Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
909

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
854

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
856

An old friend. A new course. A deadly ship with a secret cargo. Ishmael Wang returns to Port Newmar, but ghosts from his past have followed him. His old shipmate, Phillip Carstairs, offers him the opportunity to track down the man who killed his lover. The catch? He must take command of the
Chernyakova, a ship that still stinks of death and haunts Ishmael's nightmares. Together Phillip and Ismael begin a journey into unknown reaches of the Deep Dark to bring back the man who killed Greta.

5 out of 5 stars

Great book. Looking forward to more!

By
Tavis
on
12-14-16

Crystal Soldier

Liaden Universe Books of Before, Book 1

By:
Sharon Lee,
Steve Miller

Narrated by:
Kevin T. Collins

Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
302

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
268

Story

4 out of 5 stars
271

Centuries in the past, mankind fought a seemingly unbeatable adversary from sector to sector across the Spiral Arm until the war ground to a standstill and the Enemy withdrew. Believing that they had won, the citizens of the galaxy rebuilt. The Inner Worlds, which had escaped the worst of the war's ravages, became even more insular, while the Rim worlds adopted a free and easy way with law and order. Now, hundreds of years after their withdrawal, the Enemy is back - and this time they'll be satisfied with nothing less than the extinction of the galaxy.

3 out of 5 stars

Beginning of a big sprawling classic space opera

By
David
on
07-15-13

Conflict of Honors

Liaden Universe Agent of Change, Book 2

By:
Sharon Lee,
Steve Miller

Narrated by:
Andy Caploe

Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
256

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
219

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
224

In the third novel of the Liaden Universe, Priscilla Delacroix is betrayed and abandoned by her shipmates. But confronting the crew will be far easier - and safer - than confronting the demons of her past.

5 out of 5 stars

Shan and Pricilla *sigh*

By
Kindle Customer
on
09-08-12

Local Custom

Liaden Universe Space Regencies, Book 1

By:
Sharon Lee,
Steve Miller

Narrated by:
Bernadette Dunne

Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
188

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
173

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
171

The first of the seven books set in the Liaden Universe tells a rich and sweeping story of warring families and star-crossed lovers in a fantastic, other-world galaxy.

5 out of 5 stars

Classic Heyer-esque Romance with Cultural Clash

By
Charlie
on
09-20-12

Crystal Soldier

Liaden Universe Books of Before, Book 1

By:
Sharon Lee,
Steve Miller

Narrated by:
Kevin T. Collins

Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
302

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
268

Story

4 out of 5 stars
271

Centuries in the past, mankind fought a seemingly unbeatable adversary from sector to sector across the Spiral Arm until the war ground to a standstill and the Enemy withdrew. Believing that they had won, the citizens of the galaxy rebuilt. The Inner Worlds, which had escaped the worst of the war's ravages, became even more insular, while the Rim worlds adopted a free and easy way with law and order. Now, hundreds of years after their withdrawal, the Enemy is back - and this time they'll be satisfied with nothing less than the extinction of the galaxy.

3 out of 5 stars

Beginning of a big sprawling classic space opera

By
David
on
07-15-13

The Tomorrow Log

By:
Sharon Lee,
Steve Miller

Narrated by:
Kevin T. Collins

Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
67

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
59

Story

4 out of 5 stars
61

Meanwhile, on another side of the Universe. . .Meet Gem ser'Edreth, a wizard with electronics -- and a freelance thief. Deliberately solitary, unencumbered by family or friends, he immerses himself in his profession, rising to a pinnacle of skill so exalted that the planetary crime boss seeks him out with a commission to steal. Refusing the commission, of course, is his first mistake.

5 out of 5 stars

Not Liad, but Excellent Lee& Miller none the less

By
Kindle Customer
on
12-12-13

In Ashes Born

A Seeker's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, Book 1

By:
Nathan Lowell

Narrated by:
Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
909

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
854

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
856

An old friend. A new course. A deadly ship with a secret cargo. Ishmael Wang returns to Port Newmar, but ghosts from his past have followed him. His old shipmate, Phillip Carstairs, offers him the opportunity to track down the man who killed his lover. The catch? He must take command of the
Chernyakova, a ship that still stinks of death and haunts Ishmael's nightmares. Together Phillip and Ismael begin a journey into unknown reaches of the Deep Dark to bring back the man who killed Greta.

5 out of 5 stars

Great book. Looking forward to more!

By
Tavis
on
12-14-16

Tinker

Elfhome, Book 1

By:
Wen Spencer

Narrated by:
Tanya Eby

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
620

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
577

Story

4 out of 5 stars
581

Inventor, girl genius Tinker lives in a near-future Pittsburgh which now exists mostly in the land of the elves. She runs her salvage business, pays her taxes, and tries to keep the local ambient level of magic down with gadgets of her own design. When a pack of wargs chase an Elven noble into her scrap yard, life as she knows it takes a serious detour.

5 out of 5 stars

Great world building and characters

By
MaryAlice
on
04-11-15

Carousel Tides

Archer's Beach, Book 1

By:
Sharon Lee

Narrated by:
Elisabeth Rodgers

Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
173

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
133

Story

4 out of 5 stars
134

Kate Archer returns home in search of her missing grandmother Bonny, and to serve as guardian of the town's amusement park until her return… only the carousel animals are really exiles from the faerie world. And not the nice kind of exiles either - no, these are hardened criminals.

5 out of 5 stars

Good Narrator, Good Book

By
Rose
on
12-05-10

The Shadow of Saganami

By:
David Weber

Narrated by:
Jay Snyder

Length: 30 hrs and 57 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
821

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
675

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
674

The Star Kingdom has a new generation of officers! And this elite group hand-picked and trained by Honor Harrington herself is going to be needed immediately, as their first assignment turns out to be more dangerous than anyone expected. What was supposed to be a quiet outpost, far from the blazing conflict between the Star Kingdom of Manticore and the People's Republic of Haven has actually been targeted by an unholy alliance between the slaveholders of Manpower.

1 out of 5 stars

Narration too much a departure

By
OZ
on
01-22-13

Cold Welcome

Vatta's Peace, Book 1

By:
Elizabeth Moon

Narrated by:
Brittany Pressley

Length: 14 hrs and 1 min

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
323

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
298

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
294

Summoned to the home planet of her family's business empire, space-fleet commander Kylara Vatta is told to expect a hero's welcome. But instead she is thrown into danger unlike any other she has faced and finds herself isolated, unable to communicate with the outside world, commanding a motley group of unfamiliar troops, and struggling day by day to survive in a deadly environment with sabotaged gear. Only her undeniable talent for command can give her ragtag band a fighting chance.

4 out of 5 stars

Suspenseful

By
Jean
on
11-22-17

On Basilisk Station

Honor Harrington, Book 1

By:
David Weber

Narrated by:
Allyson Johnson

Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
4,097

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
3,310

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
3,306

Honor Harrington has been exiled to Basilisk station and given an antique ship to police the system. The vindictive superior who sent her there wants her to fail. But he made one mistake: he's made her mad....

5 out of 5 stars

Thanks for the memories

By
ShySusan
on
03-23-13

The Oncoming Storm

Angel in the Whirlwind, Book 1

By:
Christopher G. Nuttall

Narrated by:
Lauren Ezzo

Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
933

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
848

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
849

In the year 2420, war looms between the galaxy's two most powerful empires: the tyrannical Theocracy and the protectionist Commonwealth. Caught in the middle sits the occupied outpost system Cadiz, where young officer and aristocrat Katherine "Kat" Falcone finds herself prematurely promoted at the behest of her powerful father. Against her own wishes, Kat is sent to command the Commonwealth navy's newest warship,
Lightning.

3 out of 5 stars

This is more of an Honor Harrington reboot

By
Christine
on
10-01-15

The Rogue Prince

Sky Full of Stars, Book 1

By:
Lindsay Buroker

Narrated by:
Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
56

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
51

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
51

Starseer, pilot, and animal lover Jelena Marchenko wants to prove to her parents that she's ready to captain her own freighter and help run the family business. When she finally talks them into getting a second ship and letting her fly it, it doesn't faze her that the craft is decades old and looks like a turtle. This is the chance she's craved for years. But it's not long before the opportunity to rescue mistreated lab animals lures her from her parentally approved cargo run and embroils her in a battle between warring corporations.

5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

By
Kindle Customer
on
10-16-17

Falling Free

By:
Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by:
Grover Gardner

Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,628

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,327

Story

4 out of 5 stars
1,340

Leo Graf was just your average highly efficient engineer: mind your own business, fix what's wrong, and move on to the next job. But all that changed on his assignment to the Cay Habitat, where a group of humanoids had been secretly, commercially bioengineered for working in free fall. Could he just stand there and allow the exploitation of hundreds of helpless children merely to enhance the bottom line of a heartless mega-corporation?

3 out of 5 stars

Don't read this one first

By
Carol
on
02-20-13

An Ancient Peace

Peacekeeper, Book 1

By:
Tanya Huff

Narrated by:
Marguerite Gavin

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
307

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
284

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
284

Someone is searching for the lost weapons of the H'san: powerful enough to destroy entire planets. Though the H'san gave up fighting long ago, the reappearance of their lost weapons would no doubt lead to a devastating war. It's up to Torin Kerr and her team to fix this problem before it explodes. But the more Torin learns about the relationship between the Elder and Younger races, the more she fears war might be unavoidable.

5 out of 5 stars

Tanya Huff always delivers

By
a
on
10-12-15

The Hallowed Hunt

By:
Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by:
Marguerite Gavin

Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
941

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
551

Story

4 out of 5 stars
557

The half-mad Prince Boleso has been slain by a noblewoman he had intended to defile. It falls to Lord Ingrey kin Wilfcliff to transport the prince to his burial place and to bring the accused killer, Lady Ijada, to judgment. The road he travels with his burden and his prisoner is fraught with danger. But in the midst of political chaos, magic has the fiercer hold on Ingrey's destiny, and Ijada herself may turn out to be the only one he dares trust.

5 out of 5 stars

Another winner from Bujold

By
Ethan M.
on
05-07-07

Perilous Waif

Alice Long, Book 1

By:
E. William Brown

Narrated by:
Mare Trevathan

Length: 16 hrs and 28 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,152

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,076

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,073

My name is Alice Long, and I've always known I was different. When I was little I used to climb up to the highest branches of the housetree at night, and watch the starships docking at the orbital stations high above. Forty meters off the ground, watching ships 30,000 kilometers overhead, with senses that could pick out radar pings and comm chatter as easily as the ships themselves. It all seemed perfectly natural at the time.

5 out of 5 stars

Amazing.

By
Michael
on
04-04-17

Starship's Mage Omnibus

Starship's Mage Series #1

By:
Glynn Stewart

Narrated by:
Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,618

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,510

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,510

In a galaxy tied together by the magic of the elite Jump Magi, Damien Montgomery is a newly graduated member of their number. With no family or connections to find a ship, he is forced into service on an interstellar freighter known to be hunted by pirates. When he takes drastic action to save the
Blue Jay from their pursuers, he sets in motion a sequence of events beyond his control and attracts enemies on both sides of the law.

5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic combination of science, fantasy and war.

By
Joshua Garvin Kaldon
on
01-14-16

Publisher's Summary

Space ships, action, adventure - all tied together with a strong dollop of romance and clan intrigue - make this a compelling series for a wide range of listeners, from romance to military Science Fiction lovers.

The kompani see none as an enemy, and yet few as friend. The kompani exist in many places, living quietly in the shadows, thriving off the bounty that others have no wit to secure, nor skill to defend. Their private history is unwritten; their recall rooted in dance and dream. The Clan Korval is in many ways the opposite of the kompani. The interstellar trading clan is wealthy in enemies, and fortunate in friends. Korval protects itself with vigor, and teaches even its youngest children the art of war.

And when representatives of Clan Korval arrive on the planet Surebleak where the kompani has lived, secret and aloof, the lives of three people intersect - Kezzi, apprentice to the kompani's grandmother; Syl Vor, Clan Korval's youngest warrior; and Rys, a man without a world, or a past.

Necessity's Child is a standalone adventure in the popular and exciting Liaden Universe.

Excellent addition to the Liaden Universe

Clan Korval is on Surebleak, and the Bosses have started a school. Young Syl Vor, bored by himself in the clan house, moves to the city to live with his mother, Nova yos'Galan to attend school. Meanwhile, the Kompani have saved the life of Rys Lin pen'Chala, a Field Agent of the Department of the Interior who was beaten and left for dead near the underground home of the Kompani and found by Kezzi, a young apprentice healer.

Kezzi is caught as a truant by Mike Golden (Nova's "Hand"), and taken to the school where she meets Syl Vor. Syl Vor proposes her to Nova as his Sister, and they become good friends while building a bridge between the Korval and the Kompani. To tell more would be too much, however.

The story could easily be a simple YA addition to the Liaden Universe, but it actually explores more than that and introduces characters that I think will have a significant influence in the future. And to dismiss it as mere YA is to totally miss the point.

The reader is Eileen Stevens, who is also the reader for the Fledgling Arc of the Liaden Universe. I found her reading quite good, with characters easily distinguished while not being overly intrusive. If I had one complaint it is that when the story switches viewpoints and storylines, which it does regularly, Ms. Stevens didn't provide a "whitespace" break between the story lines. Even a 1/2 second gap would have helped clarity. But really, I'm nitpicking. A thoroughly enjoyable story, and highly recommended. If you're new to the Liaden Universe, this story is essentially standalone, but still probably not the best starting point. I'd start with Balance of Trade, Local Custom, Agent of Change, or Fledgling. Really, any would do, but I think personally I'd go for Agent of Change, which was the very first published book in the series, though not the chronologically first. IAC, if you're just starting, you have a treat ahead of you!

Schoolyard Thugs, Gypsies, Dragons, & Spies

Space Opera, set on Planet Surebleak. Much MUCH richer as part of the Liaden Series, but comprehensible as a stand alone. One of my favorites in the series, even though the chief protagonists are only about 12 years old. These two kids outwit school-yard bullies and deadly Agents of Change. No magical dramliza to save the day (which gets boring). Instead, Nova's fierce and honorable son Syl Vor (aka "Young Dragon") must duke it out.

He's a fabulous character, a little lonely, at times bored, and striving to overcome his recent nightmare experiences on Runig's Rock, when he was hiding from merciless killers while protecting newborn twins. He's smart, stubbornly tenacious, sweet, and sometimes still adorably child-like.

Is the plot improbable? Yes, but not nearly as fantastical as most books in the series.

Secondary characters from the series include Ren Zel, Anthora, Tree, Pat Rin, Miri, Val Con, Daav, Shan, Padi, and Mr. Shaper, the neighbor. Nova plays a big role, but the others get only bit parts.

We see plenty of Syl Vor, the tween-ager, and his new friend Kezzi, a delightful girl of the romany-like Bedel People. She is training to be a healer and seer. Together, they confound bullies and killer-spies.

Great Story

Another story in the Liaden Universe! Yaaaay! It is well-written, though it seems (except for one scene) that the target audience may be YA. Doesn't bother me at all, just realize that the majority of the story is from the viewpoint of young adolescents. The narrator did an OK job, though I wish the various narrators would use the same pronunciation of Liaden words! Or even the word Liaden! Also, pronouncing 'kompani' as if it were 'company' just didn't make sense to me. All in all, a good addition to the universe.

Another fun Liaden adventure with a younger focus

Rys Lin pen'Chala is left for dead near one of the entrances to the hidden kompani home in the seemingly abandoned district of the port city on Surebleak. Brought inside and nursed back to relative health by the Luthia, Silain, and her apprentice, Kezzi, he has some permanent damage, and is missing much of his memory. But as he recovers, bits come back, and he know he has terrible enemies known as the Dragons.

Syl Vor yos'Galen, Nova's son, is frustrated and bored by the absence of any companions even close to his own age. His older cousins are now off on near-adult duties; his younger cousins aren't yet walking. After some thought and a fortunate encounter, he comes up with the idea of attending the local school--not in place of his tutoring, but in addition to it.

And Kezzi, out with her dog, Malda, gets picked up by Nova's chief hand, Mike Golden, and is also taken to the school.

This story has as its main focus Kezzi and Syl Vor, and the roles they play in building connections among Korval, the Surebleak natives, and the kompani. But the Department of the Interior, while it has taken heavy blows, is not gone, and is as determined as ever to destroy Clan Korval. And that plan involves Rys Lin, who is becoming as closely bound to the family that is the kompani as it is possible to be.

Kezzi and Syl Vor are normal very bright children, and they have the normal problems of bright kids and new kids at school, which they handle in believable ways for kids of their respective backgrounds. The roles they play in the larger troubles are also those of real kids and not Magic Super Kids. Rys' bonding with his new family and struggles with his missing memory and divided mind is moving and well-handled.

As fun and exciting as one expects form a Liaden adventure! Recommended.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Audible in exchange for an honest review.

A great story but confusing format.

4/5; 4 stars; A-

This is the review of the audio version.I gave 5 stars to the book format. Why? Well, I have to say the way that Lee and Miller write can sometimes be confusing, especially on audio. They often have long, long chapters with lots of 'scene breaks' throughout. In the audio version of this book, its easy to get lost. As I listened I found myself thinking, more than once, that I was glad I had already read the book. I don't know if the narrator could have done a better job or not. I liked Eileen Stevens narration overall.

I LOVED this story, don't get me wrong. Here is my review of the actual story.

4.5/5; 5 stars; A

The concepts and characters introduced in this book open up a whole new range of intriguing possibilities for future Liaden Universe stories. I thought the idea of the Bedel people living on Surebleak as a separate society was brilliant. What better place to find dramliza than in a group of 'gypsy' type people, imbued with various gifts such as the sight and far seeing. I liked the variety of characters in the Bedel clan.

I thought that Syl Vor yos'Galan stole the show in this book. He was such a great character. (When I recently re-read Crystal Dragon I saw that Syl Vor is a a yos'Galan family name from way back. Tor An yos'Galan thinks about his grandfather Syl Vor living in his bedroom at the clanhome which was ultimately destroyed by the sheriekas) Although the story takes place after the Korval clan has been kicked off Liad, a person could read this book without having read any of the previous books and still feel satisfied. Reading the short story "Hidden Resources" would give a bit of backstory on where the clan's children were situated before they got settled on Surebleak. In the course of Necessity's Child, there is mention of the strain of the situation on Syl Vor and the dark time before which seemed to make him so somber. (Hidden Resources can be found in the chapbook 'Halfing Moon', available from Smashwords and other ebook sellers).

Another character I really liked was Rhys. His virtual re-birth in the Bedel clan was bitter sweet.

This book didn't really move the overall Korval/DOI battle forward, some of that is going on in other books thats run concurrently, but I thought it enriched the picture of the world being created on Surebleak and set the stage for interesting future developments.